spangle

1 of 2

noun

span·​gle ˈspaŋ-gəl How to pronounce spangle (audio)
1
: a small plate of shining metal or plastic used for ornamentation especially on clothing
2
: a small glittering object or particle

spangle

2 of 2

verb

spangled; spangling ˈspaŋ-g(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce spangle (audio)

transitive verb

: to set or sprinkle with or as if with spangles

intransitive verb

: to glitter as if covered with spangles : sparkle

Examples of spangle in a Sentence

Noun showgirls dressed in costumes with gold spangles Verb in typical Las Vegas fashion, the showgirls' sequined costumes spangled gloriously
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
And so Lily spends ninety minutes on the couch with two mothers sewing spangles onto tutus. Allegra Goodman, The New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2024 His trademark spangles, makeup, and campy showmanship were entirely new to the mainstream gym world. Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, The Atlantic, 16 July 2024
Verb
That also spangles the packaging of the Terracotta Marmo Sun bronzing powder, in three shades, with a fabric zip pouch. Jennifer Weil, WWD, 30 July 2024 The fur was oddly erect, as if from static, and spangled with rain. Nell Freudenberger, The New Yorker, 28 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for spangle 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spangle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English spangel, diminutive of spang shiny ornament, probably from Middle Dutch spange; akin to Old English spang buckle, Middle Dutch spannen to stretch

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1548, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of spangle was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near spangle

Cite this Entry

“Spangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spangle. Accessed 14 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

spangle

1 of 2 noun
span·​gle ˈspaŋ-gəl How to pronounce spangle (audio)
1
: a small piece of shining metal or plastic used for ornamentation on clothing
2
: a small glittering object

spangle

2 of 2 verb
spangled; spangling ˈspaŋ-g(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce spangle (audio)
: to set or sprinkle with or as if with spangles

More from Merriam-Webster on spangle

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